Ornithology 2B Summary

If you miss a class, please check this page and study the listed topics in your field guide. Click here for last year's calendar.

Note Schedule Change: Part B will start October 25, not November 1. There will be no class December 20. Updated schedule is here.


December 13
We reviewed and completed the hawks on page 118. Click here for my photo of a Ferruginous Hawk at Point Reyes, and here for my photo of a White-tailed Hawk in Texas.

Please preregister if you plan to enroll in the Spring. Click here for details.


December 6
We reviewed and completed the hawks on page 116. Click here for a photo and discussion on a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that somewhat resembles a Broad-winged Hawk. Click here and here for my photos of Red-tailed Hawks in the Bay Area. Click here for a photo of a "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk currently being seen in Arcata. Click here for a photo and discussion of a juvenile Swainson's Hawk.

November 29
We reviewed and completed the hawks on page 114. Click here for a photo and discussion of a heavily marked juvenile Broad-winged Hawk in Contra Costa County. Another photo of a Broad-winged Hawk is here.

November 15
We reviewed and completed the hawks on page 112. Click here for my photos and discussion of the Common Black-Hawk in Stockton, here for an additional photo of this bird, and here for photos of the Common Black-Hawk in Santa Rosa. Click here and here for photos of Harris's Hawks near San Diego. Click here and here for photos of Zone-tailed Hawks in Escondido, here for a photo of a juvenile Zone-tailed Hawk near San Diego, and here for my description of two Zone-tailed Hawks at Escondido. Click here and here for photos of a Zone-tailed Hawk in Goleta.

Note: There is no class next Wednesday, November 22nd which is a school Holiday. Classes resume Wednesday, November 29th.


November 8
We reviewed and completed the accipiters on page 110. Click here for a photo and discussion of a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk with an apparently rounded tail. Click here and here for my photos of adult Cooper's Hawks in Golden Gate Park.

November 1
We reviewed and completed the eagles on page 108. Click here for a detailed illustrated article on molt and aging Bald Eagles. The field trip schedule has been updated to clarify the meeting site of this Saturday's field trip to Coyote Point.

October 25
We reviewed and completed the kites and harrier on pages 104 & 106. Click here for a photo of a Mississippi Kite in California. Click here for my photo of a Northern Harrier in Texas.

October 18
We reviewed and completed the vultures and osprey on page 102. Click here for a photo of a Black Vulture in Arcata. Click here for a discussion with photos on California Condors in Monterey County. More news about the California Condors at the Ventana Wilderness is here. Click here for a whimsical photo of "The Black Angels" air show.

Note: This was the last class for Part A. Part B begins October 25th. Please register if you plan to continue.


October 11
We reviewed waterfowl through page 101.

October 4
We completed and reviewed the waterfowl on page 96. Click here for a photo and commentary on a dark-headed Ruddy Duck in Ventura.

September 27
We completed and reviewed the mergansers on page 94. Click here for a video and photo of the Smew at Tracy. Luke Cole's poetic account of not seeing this bird is here.

September 20
We completed and reviewed the ducks on page 92. Click here for a photo of a Long-tailed Duck in Berkeley. Click here for photos and detailed discussion of female goldeneye identification. Click here for photo and discussion of a female Common Goldeneye. Click here for my photos of an apparent hybrid Barrow's Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser at Lake Merritt. My article on this bird appeared in Western Birds 36:279-282, 2005.

September 13
We completed and reviewed the Sea Ducks on page 90. Click here for my photo of a male Harlequin Duck at Oyster Point. Further information on the status of Harlequin Duck in California is here. Click here for a map of possible current and historical breeding ranges in California.

September 6
We completed and reviewed the eiders on page 88. Click here for my account and photos of a Common Eider at Crescent City. Click here for details and photos of a King Eider at Point Reyes.